Canada to Reduce International Student Permits in 2025 Amid Housing and Service Pressures

Canada has announced it will limit the number of international students entering the country for a second consecutive year in 2025, as part of efforts to address strain on housing, healthcare, and other services.

The Immigration Ministry revealed on Friday that only 437,000 study permits will be issued this year, a 10% reduction from 2024. This move follows the introduction of an international student cap last year, which was aimed at managing the effects of rapid population growth on the country’s housing crisis.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is set to step down in March, had recently committed to reducing immigration levels amid declining public support for newcomers. Despite this, international students remain a crucial source of funding for Canadian institutions, paying significantly higher tuition fees than domestic students.

To comply with the cap introduced in 2024, most study permit applicants now need to provide a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter as part of their application. This year, the requirement has been expanded to include master’s and post-doctoral students. These letters serve to verify that applicants fall within the federal limits for international students.